Combination shipping carton and twin dispenser boxes

Abstract

A combination shipping and dispensing carton for carrying pouches which can be converted into side-by-side dispensers for dispensing pouches in their upright position on the shelves of stores. The carton has a bottom panel, top panel and adjoining side panels and flaps for closing the ends of the carton. The carton has a pair of tear lines extending through one side panel and a fold line extending in the other side panel which are interconnected so that when the tear lines are torn the carton can be formed into side-by-side dispensers by folding the fold line. This shipping carton carries the pouches in two rows with the tops of the pouches in each row meeting near the center of the carton and overlapping so that the length of the carton is less than two times the length of a pouch. The length of the carton can be from approximately the length of a pouch to one and half times the length of a pouch, depending upon the configuration of the pouches and how full they are filled.

1. A combination shipping and dispensing carton, comprising:
 a bottom panel; 
 a top panel comprising a first top flap and a second top flap; 
 a first side panel adjacent to the bottom panel and to the top panel; 
 a second side panel adjacent to the bottom panel and to the top panel, the second side panel having a box fold line; 
 at least one first end flap closing a first end of the carton; 
 at least one second end flap closing a second end of the carton; 
 a first plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel; and 
 a second plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel, wherein 
 the first and second pluralities of tear lines at least partially define an opening flap in the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel, 
 the opening flap is wider in the bottom panel than in the first side panel, 
 when the opening flap is opened, the carton can be formed into first and second side-by-side dispensers by folding the second side panel along the box fold line, 
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, 
 the first and second side panel tear lines converge toward one another as they extend toward the top panel, and 
 the first plurality of tear lines and the second plurality of tear lines extend through the first top flap and the second top flap. 
 
     
     
       2. The carton of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first bottom panel tear line; 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second bottom panel tear line; and 
 the first and second bottom panel tear lines diverge from one another at a location adjacent to the first side panel. 
 
     
     
       3. The carton of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first top panel tear line; 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second top panel tear line; and 
 the first and second top panel tear lines extend substantially parallel to one another in the top panel. 
 
     
     
       4. The carton of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second bottom panel tear lines converge toward each other at a location adjacent to the second side panel. 
     
     
       5. The carton of  claim 3 , wherein the first top panel tear line is approximately the same distance from the first end of the carton as the second top panel tear line is from the second end of the carton. 
     
     
       6. The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensers are of approximately the same size and configuration. 
     
     
       7. The carton of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opening flap fold line connecting the first plurality of tear lines to the second plurality of tear lines, wherein the box fold line extends from a point adjacent to the opening flap fold line. 
 
     
     
       8. The carton of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first end flap closing a first end of the carton comprises:
 a first side end flap; and 
 a second side end flap. 
 
     
     
       9. The carton of  claim 1  and a plurality of pouches therein, wherein the first and second dispensers are capable of displaying the pouches in an upright position. 
     
     
       10. The carton of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opening flap fold line connecting the first plurality of tear lines to the second plurality of tear lines, wherein the box fold line extends from a point adjacent to the opening flap fold line. 
 
     
     
       11. The carton of  claim 1 , comprising:
 means for closing the end flaps. 
 
     
     
       12. The carton of  claim 1  and a plurality of pouches therein, wherein the first and second dispensers are capable of displaying the pouches in an upright position, and wherein the plurality of pouches are arranged in a first row on a first side of the carton, and a second row on a second side of the carton, the rows of pouches overlapping at tops of the pouches. 
     
     
       13. A method of displaying items, comprising:
 providing a carton according to  claim 1  and a plurality of pouches arranged in a first row on a first side of the carton, and a second row on a second side of the carton, the rows of pouches overlapping at tops of the pouches; 
 removing the opening flap; and 
 folding along the box fold line until a first portion of the second side panel abuts a second portion of the second side panel, wherein tops of the pouches extend from tops of the dispensers. 
 
     
     
       14. A combination shipping and dispensing carton, comprising:
 a bottom panel; 
 a top panel; 
 a first side panel adjacent to the bottom panel and to the top panel; 
 a second side panel adjacent to the bottom panel and to the top panel, the second side panel having a box fold line; 
 at least one first end flap closing a first end of the carton; 
 at least one second end flap closing a second end of the carton; 
 a first plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel; and 
 a second plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel; and 
 a cut line in the second side panel connecting the first and second pluralities of tear lines, the cut line and an opening flap fold line defining a starting flap in the second side panel, wherein 
 the first and second pluralities of tear lines at least partially define an opening flap in the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel, 
 the opening flap is wider in the bottom panel than in the first side panel, 
 when the opening flap is opened, the carton can be formed into first and second side-by-side dispensers by folding the second side panel along the box fold line, 
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, and 
 the first and second side panel tear lines converge toward one another as they extend toward the top panel. 
 
     
     
       15. The carton of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the top panel comprises a first top flap and a second top flap; and 
 the first plurality of tear lines and the second plurality of tear lines extend through the first top flap and the second top flap. 
 
     
     
       16. The carton of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one first end flap closing a first end of the carton comprises:
 a first side end flap; and 
 a second side end flap. 
 
     
     
       17. A combination shipping and dispensing carton and a plurality of pouches, the carton comprising:
 a bottom panel; 
 a top panel; 
 a first side panel adjacent to the bottom panel and to the top panel; 
 a second side panel adjacent to the bottom panel and to the top panel, the second side panel having a box fold line; 
 at least one first end flap closing a first end of the carton; 
 at least one second end flap closing a second end of the carton; 
 a first plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel, the first plurality of tear lines comprising:
 a first side panel tear line; 
 a first top panel tear line; and 
 a first bottom panel tear line; 
 
 a second plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel, the second plurality of tear lines comprising:
 a second side panel tear line; 
 a second top panel tear line; and 
 a second bottom panel tear line, wherein the first and second side panel tear lines extend toward the at least one top panel and converge toward one another as they extend toward the top panel; 
 
 an opening flap fold line connecting the first plurality of tear lines to the second plurality of tear lines; and 
 a cut line in the second side panel connecting the first and second pluralities of tear lines, the cut line and the opening flap fold line defining a starting flap in the second side panel, wherein 
 the first and second pluralities of tear lines and the opening flap fold line at least partially define an opening flap in the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the top panel, 
 the opening flap is wider in the bottom panel than in the first side panel, 
 the box fold line extends from a point adjacent to the opening flap fold line, 
 when the opening flap is opened, the carton can be formed into first and second side-by-side dispensers of approximately the same size and configuration by folding along the box fold line, and 
 the plurality of pouches are arranged in a first row on a first side of the carton, and a second row on a second side of the carton, the rows of pouches overlapping at tops of the pouches. 
 
     
     
       18. The carton of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first and second top panel tear lines extend substantially parallel to one another in the top panel; and 
 the first and second bottom panel tear lines diverge from one another at a location adjacent to the first side panel. 
 
     
     
       19. The carton of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second bottom panel tear lines converge toward each other at a location adjacent to the second side panel. 
     
     
       20. A blank for forming a combination shipping and dispensing carton, comprising:
 a bottom panel; 
 a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel; 
 a first top flap foldably connected to the first side panel; 
 a second side panel having a box fold line; 
 a first plurality of end flaps extending along a first marginal area of the blank; 
 a second plurality of end flaps extending along a second marginal area of the blank; 
 a first plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the first top flap; 
 a second plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the first top flap; and 
 a second top flap foldably connected to the second side panel, wherein the first plurality of tear lines and the second plurality of tear lines extend through the second top flap, wherein 
 the first and second pluralities of tear lines at least partially define an opening flap in the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the first top flap, 
 the opening flap is wider in the bottom panel than in the first side panel, 
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, and 
 the first and second side panel tear lines converge toward one another as they extend toward the top panel. 
 
     
     
       21. The blank of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first bottom panel tear line; 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second bottom panel tear line; and 
 the first and second bottom panel tear lines diverge from one another at a location adjacent to the first side panel. 
 
     
     
       22. The blank of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first top flap tear line; 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second top flap tear line; and 
 the first and second first top flap tear lines extend substantially parallel to one another in the first top flap. 
 
     
     
       23. The blank of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second bottom panel tear lones converge toward each other at a location adjacent to the second side panel. 
     
     
       24. The blank of  claim 21 , wherein the first top flap tear line is approximately the same distance from the first marginal area as the second first top flap tear line is from a second marginal area. 
     
     
       25. The blank of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 an opening flap fold line in the second side panel connecting the first plurality of tear lines to the second plurality of tear lines, wherein the box fold line extends from a point adjacent to the opening flap fold line. 
 
     
     
       26. The blank of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 an opening flap fold line in the second side panel connecting the first plurality of tear lines to the second plurality of tear lines, wherein the box fold line extends from a point adjacent to the opening flap fold line. 
 
     
     
       27. A blank for forming a combination shipping and dispensing carton, comprising:
 a bottom panel; 
 a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel; 
 a second side panel having a box fold line; 
 a first plurality of end flaps extending along a first marginal area of the blank; 
 a second plurality of end flaps extending along a second marginal area of the blank; 
 a first plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the first top flap, the first plurality of tear lines comprising a first bottom panel tear line; 
 a second plurality of tear lines extending through the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the first top flap, the second plurality of tear lines comprising a second bottom panel tear line; and 
 a cut line in the second side panel connecting the first and second pluralities of tear lines, the cut line and an opening flap fold line defining a starting flap in the second side panel, wherein 
 the first and second pluralities of tear lines at least partially define an opening flap in the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the first top flap, 
 the opening flap is wider in the bottom panel than in the first side panel, 
 the first plurality of tear lines comprises a first side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, 
 the second plurality of tear lines comprises a second side panel tear line that extends toward the top panel, 
 the first and second side panel tear lines converge toward one another as they extend toward the top panel, and 
 the first and second bottom panel tear lines diverge from one another at a location adjacent to the first side panel. 
 
     
     
       28. The blank of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a second top flap foldably connected to the second side panel, wherein the first plurality of tear lines and the second plurality of tear lines extend through the second top flap.